Not all neon signs shout drinks, food, coffee and entertainment. And ironically for an atheist, one of my favourites is the longtime Bread of Life mission sign in the heart of Pioneer Square that beckons people to “come unto me.” Since 1939, the nonprofit religious group has been providing meals, shelter, and essential services to help individuals overcome the vicious cycle of homelessness.

And despite all their good works, incredibly, last year, Seattle Officials instructed the group to stop feeding the hungry in downtown parks. Volunteers for the mission had handed out meals at the park on the third Saturday of every month for the past three years. The offering was for those who did not wish to attend their shelter, and was in addition to the three meals a day they serve inside their wonderful period building at 97 South Main Street.

But Seattle police told them they were no longer allowed to serve food in parks. City Officials denied it was a policy change, that the rule had always been in place, and that Bread of Life just hadn’t gotten “caught” in the three years doing this weekly outreach. But after a public outcry, common sense prevailed and an exception was – rightly – made for them to continue feeding the hungry and the homeless in the parks.